Konoha, also known as the Leaf Village, is the principal village in the Naruto series. It is the home of the main characters in this narrative, including Uzumaki Naruto.
While it serves as the primary residence for these characters, the Leaf Village is not without its shadows and dark aspects. Below are some reasons that illustrate why Konoha may not be as perfect as many believe.
1. The Leaders of the Leaf Village Often Make Poor Decisions
During the era of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen, Konoha experienced a significant decline compared to other periods (especially during Tsunade’s reign, leading up to Naruto).
The reason for this decline lies in the frequent poor decisions made by the leaders of the Leaf Village. For instance, Hiruzen allowed Danzo to turn the Anbu Root into a “secret police” that controlled the Anbu division, or made dangerous decisions involving the Uchiha clan massacre before Hiruzen could find a peaceful solution.
Additionally, Danzo’s self-serving motives often clashed with the village’s interests, leading to many hardships for Naruto and Sasuke during their youth.
2. Participation in the Third Great Ninja War, Sacrificing a Small Village Like the Rain Village
Konoha was one of the major ninja villages involved in the Third Great Ninja War. It is well known that the outcomes of wars often leave both victors and losers in dire states.
One of the most significant impacts of the war was on the Rain Village, a small village caught in the crossfire of larger ninjas. This led to Nagato’s deep resentment towards Konoha, as he considered the Leaf Village to be one of the antagonists in the Third Great Ninja War, contributing to his suffering.
3. Might Duy and Guy, Always Being Underestimated Due to Lack of Ninjutsu
For various reasons, Duy and Guy have always been seen as inferior within Konoha, primarily due to their lack of ninjutsu skills.
However, some villagers believe that Might Duy and Guy are a father-son duo of great potential. Even some ninjas have expressed concern that Might Duy’s past overshadowed Guy’s ability to fight with other ninjas until Kakashi arrived and made a significant impact.
Despite both being incapable of using ninjutsu, they excelled in physical combat, showcasing their exceptional strength in unique ways!
4. Sakumo Hatake, Driven to Suicide by the Pressure of Being a Hero
Sakumo Hatake is the father of the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi. He was famously known as “White Fang,” considered a legendary ninja, even more so than the Sannin, due to his remarkable achievements.
However, in the past, during a critical mission for Konoha, he chose to abandon his mission to save his comrades who were in danger.
As a result, Sakumo faced disdain from other ninjas, leading to a loss of reputation and ultimately, he took his own life, leaving Kakashi devastated and feeling abandoned by his father.
5. Naruto’s Childhood Was Marred by Stigmatization as the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails
From the moment Danzo revealed to the Leaf residents that Naruto was the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, the monstrous creature that had devastated the village years before, everyone began to shun and distance themselves from Naruto.
Only a few, like Shikamaru and Choji, were allowed to befriend him. During Naruto’s childhood, he faced considerable isolation, and he even expressed disdain towards Konoha, particularly if he didn’t encounter Iruka.
6. Despite Its Traditions, Konoha Allowed the Hyuga Clan to Split into Two Factions
The Hyuga clan in Naruto has a unique and peculiar history and is one of the most powerful clans in the Leaf Village. The Hyuga clan was divided into two factions, the Main House and the Branch House. The Main House governs the clan while the Branch House is tasked with protecting the Main House.
This division is viewed as highly controversial, particularly for members of the Branch House. From birth, those belonging to the Branch House are bound by a fate to protect the Main House, even at the cost of their lives. Members of the Branch House must endure the pressure of being constantly subservient, as they are only viewed as tools for the Main House’s benefit.
Even though the villagers in Konoha are aware of this situation, there has yet to be any effective resolution.
7. The Uchiha Clan Massacre Was Not Resolved Properly
The failure to find a better solution to the conflict with the Uchiha clan, along with Danzo’s manipulations that led Hiruzen to be unable to intervene, resulted in the tragic Uchiha clan massacre. Regardless of the methods used, the cost was high, as many innocent lives were lost in the process.
In the end, a new conflict arose, affecting Sasuke and Itachi, as they became embroiled in the consequences of this massacre. The dark history of the Uchiha clan massacre remains hidden and is not documented in the village’s ninja history.
